(ABC News) – The threat of default and 16-day government shutdown that ended Wednesday night left the American people — and President Obama — frustrated.

“You don’t like a particular policy or a particular president? Then argue for your position. Go out there and win an election,” Obama said. “Push to change it.

“But don’t break it,” Obama told Republicans.

In an address to the nation from the White House hours after signing into law a compromise that ended the standoff, Obama said the American people are “fed up” with Washington and the shutdown and threat of default have inflicted damage on the economy and weakened the country’s standing around the world.